Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's title is as eccentric as the series, with Yakuza legend Goro Majima set to headline RGG's upcoming spin-off game. Instead of Dead Souls' zombies or Gaiden's secret agent shenanigans, however, Pirate Yakuza will, as its name suggests, take to the seas. As Majima commands a crew of swashbucklers in and outside of Hawaii, the title looks to emphasize both innovation and the beloved mainstay features that the LAD series has come to be known for, bringing them to light in a new context with a forgetful Majima at the helm.
Majima has seen a number of roles throughout the LAD series, most regarded for being the other half of Yakuza 0's dual protagonist structure, though Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii strips him of his past through a case of amnesia. The events of the game are set to take place half a year after the conclusion of LAD: Infinite Wealth, with speculation surrounding the timeline in relation to Kiryu's cancer diagnosis. Though the spotlight is squarely on Majima, the case of what led to his washing up on a remote beach has already garnered questions, and with Saejima set to return, fans are bracing themselves for an experience as emotional as it is goofy. Thankfully, players can dry their tears through a host of old minigames set to return, including Dragon Kart, Crazy Delivery, and of course, karaoke.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Emphasizes the Old and the New
Incorporating the Old With the New
LAD: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's main combat loop will see Majima traverse maps new and old, moving beyond Infinite Wealth's Hawaii to surrounding shores. This includes a shady port called Madlantis, deemed a hideout for the mafia and other gangs at the behest of a female villain named Queen Michele, not so dissimilar to Gaiden's The Castle. The real-time combat of the series' past will be back on full display with Pirate Yakuza's ship battles and land combat, working from Majima's iconic dagger slashing among a host of new weapons in his arsenal, including, but not limited to, a shark-summoning violin and a giant chimpanzee that uppercuts his foes.
Taking Cues from the LAD Series' Past
The sheer chaos of breaching enemy ships is already reminiscent of Gaiden's Hell Team Rumble, and the inclusion of clothing customization marks another feature brought back to fan acclaim, allowing players to dress Majima up in series' attire like his cabaret outfit from Yakuza 0 or his iconic Goromi getup. The referential treatment goes beyond that, however, to even accommodate the character's voice actor, Hidenari Ugaki, who's often seen sporting a baker boy hat. Of Pirate Yakuza's returning minigames, Majima will be able to collect food while performing flip tricks just as Ichi did in Crazy Delivery, and with a racetrack fitted for the streets of Hawaii, Dragon Kart will be another go-to.
Of Pirate Yakuza's karaoke offerings, 24-hour Cinderella is set to make a triumphant return, which in turn will allow Majima to hit up Infinite Wealth's Survive Bar. The customization of Infinite Wealth's Dondoko Island also looks to be emulated, albeit on a much smaller scale, through Majima's ability to deck out his ship. In regard to his pirate crew, many faces of the series' past who once came together for Gaiden's Joryu Clan will now be fighting on the open seas, acting under the sails of the Goromaru. Crew customization will likely take cues from Gaiden's emphasis on supportive, defensive, and offensive characters, though how involved combat is outside Majima remains to be seen.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Never Ages
Having Majima as a protagonist again points towards the many ways that RGG is capable of making the old feel new. It's an ironic strength given Majima's own age, with fans remarking that he looks just as young as he did at the chronological start of the series. The ability to put a fresh coat of paint on past features and maps through his lens will be defining for Pirate Yakuza, showing equal merit in its nostalgia and innovation. Though its ship battles and seafaring exploration are compelling enough, the nods to the series' roots look to be just as effective, cementing the studio's clever and healthy approach to asset reuse.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
- Released
- February 21, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Dragon Engine
- Franchise
- Yakuza
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
